Stock Risers 2028: Defensive Players

The Class of 2028 is entering a huge season, and the defensive side of the ball is loaded with prospects ready to make a jump. With two varsity seasons still ahead of them, many of these rising juniors are just beginning to scratch the surface of what they can become. From disruptive defensive linemen and explosive edge rushers to rangy linebackers and playmaking defensive backs, this group features plenty of size, speed, versatility, and upside. As the season gets underway, these are some of the 2028 defensive stock risers who have caught my attention and could see their recruitment and rankings take a major step forward.    [player_tooltip player_id='2169847' first='Kenny' last='Bailey'] is a physical defensive back who could be a major stock riser in the 2028 class. Playing at a smaller school in a run-heavy area, his opportunities to make plays on the football in coverage can be few and far between, but Bailey makes his presence felt in other ways. He arrives at the ball with bad intentions, delivering a punch as a tackler and showing no hesitation coming downhill in run support. He's strong, fast, and brings the type of physicality you normally expect from a linebacker. Bailey recorded 27 solo tackles as a sophomore, and with more exposure and opportunities to showcase his complete skill set, he is a name worth watching closely.     [player_tooltip player_id='2244754' first='Conner' last='Haithcock'] is a tackling machine who consistently finds his way to the football. He may not be the biggest linebacker in the 2028 class, but he makes up for it with strength, speed, instincts, and a high motor. Haithcock plays fast downhill, closes space quickly, and has shown that he can make plays all over the field. His production backs it up—he finished last season with 96 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, and 4 interceptions while earning Central Carolina Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. With that type of production already on his résumé, Haithcock is a 2028 defender whose stock should continue to rise.     [player_tooltip player_id='2085425' first='Marcus' last='Brown'] already looks the part of a future college linebacker. At 6'2", 190 pounds, Brown has excellent size for his age, with a long frame and long arms that immediately stand out. He has the build to continue adding good weight without sacrificing his athleticism, giving him a prototype college prospect frame at the position. Brown describes his game as fast and physical, and that combination of size, length, and athletic upside makes him one of the more intriguing 2028 linebackers to keep an eye on as his varsity role continues to grow.     [player_tooltip player_id='2077282' first='Dexter' last='Pope'] is an up-and-coming monster at linebacker and a prospect I believe is still flying under the radar. He plays with a physical edge, brings plenty of strength to the middle of the defense, and has the type of downhill mentality you want from the position. Pope is listed as a 2028 linebacker and has already gained varsity starting experience. He has the tools to develop into a serious defensive presence, and as the production and exposure start to catch up with his ability, Pope could quickly go from underrated to one of the more talked-about linebackers in his class.     [player_tooltip player_id='1847861' first='Dallas' last='Morgan'] is one of the more intriguing versatile defenders in the 2028 class. At 6'3", he has outstanding length and a frame that gives him the ability to play multiple positions on defense. Morgan is athletic and fast enough to match up with receivers in space, but he also brings the strength and physicality to take on blocks and make plays against the run. That combination gives him legitimate DB/LB versatility and plenty of possibilities at the next level. As he continues to develop physically and find his permanent position, Morgan has the tools to see his stock rise quickly.     [player_tooltip player_id='1671214' first='Joseph' last='Franz'] is a massive and versatile prospect in the trenches who has the frame to play multiple spots at the next level. At around 6'3" and 300 pounds, Franz already possesses college-level size as a 2028 prospect. He has the strength and mass to plug gaps and create problems on the interior, but he also has enough athletic ability to line up on the edge in certain fronts. His combination of size, versatility, and developmental upside makes him an intriguing prospect whose stock could continue to climb as he develops.     [player_tooltip player_id='2327106' first='Markel' last='Hurley'] is a physical, downhill linebacker who is at his best attacking the run. He's strong at the point of attack, plays with aggression, and when he arrives at the football, he arrives with some pop. Hurley also gives Cape Fear versatility as a pass rusher, showing the ability to blitz through the middle or come screaming off the edge. His production is already starting to match the film—he recorded 66 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 3 sacks as a sophomore and earned second-team all-conference honors. Hurley has the physicality and big-hitting mentality to become one of the more productive 2028 linebackers in the 910.     [player_tooltip player_id='2326564' first='Joseph' last='Jackson'] is an intriguing edge prospect with a college-ready frame to build on. His length immediately stands out, especially his long arms, which give him the tools to create separation from blockers and become disruptive off the edge. Jackson has the type of size and physical profile college programs look for at the position, and there is still plenty of room for him to develop physically. With continued production and refinement to his pass-rush game, Jackson has the traits to emerge as a serious prospect in the 2028 class.     [player_tooltip player_id='2267233' first='Avery' last='Flowers'] has the prototype build of a true middle linebacker. At around 6'0", 225 pounds, he already has the size and strength you want anchoring the middle of a defense. Flowers is a physical presence who can handle traffic between the tackles, but he's also shown impressive playmaking ability, coming off a sophomore season with 86 tackles, 3 sacks, and 4 interceptions. That combination of size, production, and versatility makes Flowers a legitimate college prospect and one of the 2028 linebackers whose stock should continue to rise.     [player_tooltip player_id='2257426' first='AJ' last='Poole'] is a high-motor edge defender who brings consistent energy and effort off the edge. At 6'2", 220 pounds, he already has a strong frame for a 2028 prospect and plays with the physicality to match it. Poole keeps coming after the quarterback, works through blocks, and doesn't give up on plays when his first move is stopped. That combination of motor, strength, and developing size gives him plenty of upside. Southeast Raleigh has produced some talented players in the trenches, and Poole is another young defender to keep an eye on as his role continues to grow.     [player_tooltip player_id='2242995' first='Jacob' last='Stanford'] has the prototype size and length you want from a next-level edge prospect. At around 6'5", 215-220 pounds, Stanford has a long frame with plenty of room to continue adding weight while maintaining his explosiveness. He comes off the edge with power and burst, using his length to create problems for offensive tackles. Stanford is coming off a sophomore season with 56 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks, and his recruitment is already taking off with Division I offers. The combination of size, strength, explosiveness, and upside makes Stanford one of the more intriguing 2028 edge prospects in the state.     [player_tooltip player_id='2155266' first='Jeremiah' last='Thompson'] is a fast, aggressive defensive back with a natural playmaking mentality. He plays bigger than his frame and isn't afraid to come downhill and get involved against the run. What stands out is how quickly he attacks—Thompson plays with confidence, closes on the football, and consistently puts himself around the action. That aggressiveness translated into 83 tackles, 60 solo stops, two forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and an interception during his sophomore season. With his speed and nose for the football, Thompson is a 2028 stock riser who deserves more attention.

The Class of 2028 is entering a huge season, and the defensive side of the ball is loaded with prospects ready to make a jump. With two varsity seasons still ahead of them, many of these rising juniors are just beginning to scratch the surface of what they can become. From disruptive defensive linemen and explosive edge rushers to rangy linebackers and playmaking defensive backs, this group features plenty of size, speed, versatility, and upside. As the season gets underway, these are some of the 2028 defensive stock risers who have caught my attention and could see their recruitment and rankings take a major step forward.